Escaping Commitment

Prologue

Sorinah treasured her sisters; their bond was woven from shared moments and unspoken understanding.

Their love for one another was unyielding, even as their quirks and clashes added texture to their connection.

No matter who entered their lives, the circle only grew richer, never diminished, until now.

A shadow loomed, threatening the harmony she held so dear.

That smug, infuriating dickhole had become a thorn in her side, even if she alone seemed to feel the sting.

Sorinah was the first to add to their tight circle with her beautiful baby boy, Man’nah.

Her sisters stepped in, and welcomed their nephew with open arms. The next addition was Vickram, whom she lovingly called Vic.

Her brother-in-law was a kind and giving man.

By adding him, the women were granted an amazing extended family.

His parents were wonderful, and Sorinah adored her niece and nephew.

She was over the moon. Nakinah also found her person. Two out of three were great odds for the sisters. Being the baby, she was wrapped in love from her older sisters. Sorinah had a great life and accepted love wasn’t in the cards for her.

It seemed destined for her oldest sister, who had always been more like a nurturing momma to her, to hit the jackpot when she found the love of her life on vacation.

Ambrose was a perfect addition to their family, his warmth and charm blending seamlessly with their dynamic.

His parents only added to the joy, exuding a welcoming energy that made everyone feel at home.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for his dumbass brother!

Hate was a strong word! She didn’t hate anyone. Her superpower was her ability to be unbothered. Why had her shield chosen to fail her now?

Because his face was stupid.

Ridiculously handsome.

But still stupid.

Both could be true at the same time.

She adored Ambrose as much as Vic, but he brought a nasty addition along with him, his stupid-faced brother Aldrich!

The man got under her skin. Boorish, arrogant.

Before she could register it, warmth suddenly encased her elbow. A deep voice whispered in her ear.

“Seriously, are you going to continue to send me death glares all night?” His breath fanned the shell of her ear as he spoke.

For a moment, she forgot where they were and yanked her elbow out of his hold. Turning, she met the view of his shoulder. Being a tall woman who loved wearing heels, she wasn’t used to people towering over her.

She made sure they made eye contact, then hit him with a stink eye before she let him have it.

“Who gave you permission to touch me? And be all up in my personal space,” Sorinah hissed, her tone low but venomous.

Unfucking believable!

Aldrich reclaimed her elbow, his grip firm yet controlled, and flashed her a smile so fake it could’ve been painted on a carnival mask.

“Enough of this shit.” His voice dropped, the mild accent she was used to now swallowed by the full, rolling cadence of the island rhythm his brother and father shared. “We are going into the office to hash this out.”

“We aren’t.” Sorinah pulled her arm back, the defiance in her tone a small flame against his calm storm.

“You will find we are.” He stepped closer, the command in his voice unwavering. “Let’s go.”

“You aren’t my daddy.” She couldn’t help the jab, a spark of satisfaction lighting her chest, until she saw the flash in his steel-grey eyes.

The intensity of his stare deepened, a predator’s focus that made her throat tighten.

This is what those poor animals in the jungle felt right before the lion pounced.

“I can be, if that’s what it takes.” His gaze slowly swept over her, from head to toe, before locking back onto her eyes with a heat that made her pulse stutter.

“Excuse me?” She pressed a hand to her chest, indignation rising like steam. When had she become some kind of damsel in distress? She straightened her spine, refusing to shrink under his stare.

“You heard me. Let’s go. Now.” His tone was unyielding, a sharp edge she’d never heard directed at her before.

Sorinah bristled, every instinct screaming to tear into him right there. But she glanced around the great room, at his parents’ elegant space filled with family and warmth, and bit her tongue. This wasn’t the time or place to ignite a war.

Fine! She’d follow him somewhere private, and then she’d unload on his smug, overbearing ass with both barrels.

His steps were measured as he guided them.

A warm breeze carried his scent as they moved from indoors to outdoors, then back again.

It was so masculine; she inhaled, absorbing it.

How she could detect it over the smell of the garden was beyond her, because it wasn’t as if it were overwhelming.

It was the one thing about him that was not obnoxious.

A moment later, he led them into an office.

From the décor, it was clear it was a shared space.

Half of the room was feminine and more European, while the other was masculine with a strong island influence.

It is amazing how they pulled off the distinct looks while making them complement without clashing.

The snapping fingers drew her attention.

“Hello?” he called.

Normally, she found the island’s unique cadence charming. Even sexy. But this was Aldrich, and he was neither of those fucking things.

“What?” she snapped.

“This is our siblings’ rehearsal dinner for their wedding.”

“I know that.” It took everything in her not to call him a condescending dickhole.

“In a couple of days, we will be family. Stop your childishness,” he admonished.

“I beg your pardon.” She planted her hands on her ample hips.

Aldrich followed the motion with his gaze. Was that a glimpse of appreciation she spied? Shaking her head, she banished the thought. Never mind if it was. This man was off-limits. Narrow-minded dickhole.

“I didn’t take you for a beggar.” He shrugged as he walked away to the wet bar. “Nor for being obtuse. You have been acting like a child since the moment we met.”

Why is that dickhole? She thought.

Aldrich made a poor impression before they actually met.

While Sorinah wasn’t ashamed of the beautiful boy that she was blessed with, she was sensitive about being a single teen mom.

Okay, granted, she was eighteen when he was born.

But getting pregnant so young and picking the wrong partner was a sore spot for her.

It hadn’t been her plan to be a single mom, but with her sisters’ help, she was raising an incredible young man.

Sure, she had overheard part of a conversation, but the message was clear. The judgmental dickhole was so flippant and uncaring. “Getting pregnant as a teenager isn’t some badge of honour… Then you want to complain about not having a co-parent. Well, what do you expect?”

They hadn’t met yet, and he probably wasn’t talking about her, but still the criticism hit a little too close to home.

“Would you like a drink?” he asked, holding up a decanter of pale amber liquid. “There is no ice, though.”

Sorinah wouldn’t mind a drink, but she wouldn’t take one from his ass. “No.”

At his raised eyebrow, she added, “Thank you.”

“That’s a first.”

“What’s a first?”

“I’ve never heard thank you sound like fuck you before.” He poured a drink and took a sip. “Look, we will be in-laws in a couple of days. Tell me what you think I did?—”

“What if the problem is just your existence?”

He speared her with a look that screamed disappointment. He sighed as he ran his hand through his golden curls. “We have to find a way to coexist without making it awkward for everybody else. Tell me what it will take to make this happen.”

Part of her wanted to stiffen at his tone. He was the one in the wrong, but she felt chastised because he made himself sound reasonable.

“I’d have to think about it.”

“Please do. My family is important to me, and your sister is about to be a part of our family. I like and respect Nakinah.”

What he didn’t say out loud was unlike you. She bristled at the unsaid slight.

“I think we can find a way to get along for her,” he continued.

“Well, I’m sure we can reach an agreement,” she conceded.

“Can we call a truce on their wedding day?”

Well, of course, she had to say yes. How would it look if she didn’t? The tension between them hadn’t gone unnoticed. Her sisters had mentioned it. Worse, Vic peeped the discord.

The woman who had taken care of Sorinah her entire life would have the most amazing wedding day. She could bite her tongue and get through it. “Yes, of course,” she agreed.